Unlike the original Shadowverse, which was known for its free-to-play generosity, Shadowverse: Worlds Beyond currently lacks that same accessibility. Players can still get a lot out of the game, but its monetization model and the new liquefy system are different and, frankly, less player-friendly. This is especially disheartening considering how much the original's accessibility contributed to its widespread appeal. Worlds Beyond retains the core Shadowverse experience fans love, with added mechanics and the more personalized Shadowverse Park, but it feels like it's lost some of its soul to the pursuit of profit.

Trails Beyond the Horizon ultimately feels like the course correction the series needed after the detour that was Daybreak 2. It successfully balances its massive cast and deep lore to deliver the major payoffs that fans have been anticipating since long before the Calvard arc even began. The pacing can be glacially slow as it builds toward these reveals, but the way it weaves years of plot threads together is incredibly satisfying and fills me with excitement for what lies beyond this horizon.

Gears of War: Reloaded is the best way to return to where it all began. It goes beyond the Ultimate Edition, updating the classic without losing the raw grit that defined it back in 2006, and reminds us why Gears of War grew into one of gaming’s most iconic series.

GRIME 2 is a direct improvement to all aspects of its predecessor and doubles down on what makes it great in the first place. Featuring a unique aesthetic, deep combat systems, and textbook Metroidvania exploration, this is a title worth playing for fans of the genre.

The LUNAR Remastered Collection may not break new ground, but it brings a polished, nostalgic experience with just the right modern touches. Although its age occasionally shows, the remaster does a great job of preserving what made these classics so loved. With a captivating story, lovable characters, and timeless gameplay, LUNAR remains a charming and enduring journey.

Warframe's Switch 2 port looks and runs just as Digital Extremes has promised. The visual upgrades, fast load times, and overall stability showcase the hardware's strengths and make it one of the best ports for the long-standing MMO looter-shooter hybrid. Not to mention its longevity. While there are some issues with the Joy-Con 2's mouse mode and some bugs, it's still a port worth trying, especially since it's free.

SEDAP! A Culinary Adventure is a wonderful and whimsical co-op title that blends together cooking mini-games with hack-n-slash combat elements to create a solid experience, whether you're playing with a player two or alone. While there are still some bugs and glitches, as well as some unclear mechanics that can leave you confused, SEDAP still delivers through its enjoyable gameplay and interesting story.

The Great Villainess: Strategy of Lily is an outstanding and absurd, yet equally self-aware story with a cast of wild yet surprisingly relatable characters. Despite messy pacing, its sharp writing, stellar Japanese voice acting, and bold style make it a memorable ride.

Timberborn is a good, almost natural, marriage of two genres that couldn’t quite surpass its own issues to become something greater than the sum of its parts. Late mechanics implementation, lower replayability than expected for a 1.0, and unhelpful tutorials all drag down an otherwise amazing game. There’s much holding it back and much holding it up, amounting to a great, but imperfect title overall.

While anthologies often struggle with inconsistent quality and clashing writing styles, Depersonalization largely avoids this. Its story arcs remain surprisingly consistent, offering a thought-provoking—if occasionally painful—narrative experience.

Romeo is a Dead Man brings everything you expect from the Suda51 style—and I mean everything, especially when it comes to its visuals. Though it suffers from technical issues and a simple gameplay loop, the unpredictable narrative, paired with its eye-catching visuals and strong audio design, makes it a memorable experience.

The masterminds behind Danganronpa have knocked it out of the park once again with TRIBE NINE, an action RPG that takes their signature style and cranks it up to the extreme.

Urban Myth Dissolution Center is like DanDaDan meets The X-Files—a spine-tingling blend of supernatural thrills and mysteries that will have you hooked from start to finish. With its episodic structure, each twist keeps you guessing, sending chills down your spine as you unravel paranormal secrets... while also wondering if you should sleep with the lights on.

Fans can breathe a sigh of relief—GUILTY GEAR -STRIVE- on the Switch isn’t a Heaven or Hell gamble. This port delivers a rocking experience that will have fans shouting, “Let’s Rock!” as they finally take GUILTY GEAR -STRIVE- on the go. Arc System Works has done an impressive job of bringing the game to the handheld hybrid, nailing the essence of the original with sharp visuals, smooth 60 fps gameplay, and all the content from the base game along with Seasons 1-3. However, the port isn’t without its flaws. The visuals occasionally take a noticeable hit, and the absence of crossplay is a significant drawback, especially for competitive players. Fingers crossed that crossplay support arrives in a future update.

Dynasty Warriors: Origins is an amazing and much-needed reboot that the franchise needed while keeping its whole identity and foundation intact.

NBA 2K26 is a direct improvement compared to its previous release, with its better shooting mechanics, handling, and other quality of life improvements. However, its monetization practices still make it hard to compete.

After years of mere cameos and remasters, Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero finally gives the series the attention it deserves: a true sequel that expands on its mechanics. It takes the series into new waters with a brighter tone and streamlined storytelling, but in doing so, it drifts away from the emotional depth that made its predecessor so resonant. Yet, the very fact that this sequel exists signals something greater for the series—if this is just the beginning, then the future of Phantom Brave is brighter than ever.

Borderlands 4 seeks to right the wrongs by simply upgrading everything the previous installment offered. However, the performance issues and bugs affect the overall experience, preventing the game from being the best version of itself.

Dynasty Warriors: Origins Visions of Four Heroes is a surprisingly well-done DLC pack that not only succeeds on a narrative level but also enhances its core gameplay. The additional routes exploring the would-be heroes are well-executed, if not a little short, and the new weapons and gameplay modes add even more enjoyment to the already addictive Musou combat.

Blade Chimera is a masterful blend of nostalgia and innovation. It channels the spirit of IGA’s legendary works while carving out its own identity with fluid combat, seamless exploration, and a striking cyberpunk Osaka brought to life in vivid pixel art. More than a love letter to the genre, it’s a bold new chapter that stands tall on its own.

Megabonk takes the familiar bullet heaven formula and gives it a bold twist, adding vertical movement and a fresh 3D perspective. Its audiovisual presentation is stellar, and once it gets going, the gameplay can easily keep you hooked for hours. While the music does lose its charm over time, it still stands as one of the genre’s most impressive recent releases.

ARC Raiders blends cinematic flair with extraction-shooter grit, delivering stylish action and just enough fresh ideas to stand out in a crowded genre. Its fast-paced mechanics, striking presentation, and surprisingly solid story keep it engaging—though console players may feel a stumble or two. Still, it’s definitely a raid worth dropping into.

John Carpenter’s Toxic Commando is bursting at the seams with how much gameplay depth, artisanal vision, and genre innovation it manages to pack within its very few open-world levels. Had it the scope to contain its quality, it would’ve been the best horde-shooter for everyone out there, though it still may be for some. It’s simply too awesome for its own good.

Demon Slayer: The Hinokami Chronicles 2 carves its mark among the elite of anime games, honing nearly every edge of its predecessor. With tighter, more fluid combat and a cinematic presentation that nearly rivals Ufotable’s legendary adaptation, this sequel feels like a true evolution from the very first swing. It's not flawless, but the sheer volume of content and pure fun it delivers more than makes up for its shortcomings. If the original was Hinoe rank, this one unquestionably earns its place among the Hashira.

Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound is a spinoff that revitalizes the series and the genre with its callback to its original side-scrolling gameplay. With well-crafted levels, dynamically engaging combat, and gorgeous pixel art, it uses the simplicity of the side-scrolling gameplay to its maximum potential. It has a few flaws here and there, like its short runtime and balance near the end, but is otherwise a great way to keep the hype for the series’ upcoming title.

Battlefield 6 is more of a step in the right direction back to greatness than a complete return to form. Nevertheless, the changes made to key gameplay elements have made it more enjoyable than its competitors.

The Alters is a survival base-builder set against the backdrop of a hauntingly desolate planet, with gameplay that mirrors that atmosphere—deliberate, reflective, and occasionally a bit unpolished. It’s not without its flaws, having traded some base-building depth to prioritize its narrative, but the experience as a whole is still thoroughly rewarding. Best of all, it’s a fantastic deal considering its visual quality and strong replayability.

Bonnie Bear Saves Frogtime delivers a fun, whimsical adventure with a charming blend of quirky comedy alongside relatable heartfelt moments. It also comes packaged with cute visuals, a unique music score, and engaging gameplay, wrapped up in a lovely cozy game that’s sure to entertain. There are a few minor issues here and there, but they don’t sour the gameplay experience to a fault.